The other three knobs change parameters on the oscillator, which vary from one algorithm to another. The first knob selects the oscillator's sound generation algorithm. Its oscillator has four orange knobs that set it apart from the rest of the white knobs. Much like a Teenage Engineering's OP-1 synthesizer, the MicroFreak has an incredibly powerful and versatile digital synthesis system.

Arturia has also added several super wave, wavetable, harmonic, and Karplus-Strong algorithms. From Plaits are virtual analog, waveshaper, two-operator FM, granular formant, chords, speech, and modal oscillator modes. It will digitally model the basic sine, square, triangle, and ramp waves of a classic analog synth, but that's only one twelfth of the sound generation options with MicroFreak as it's digital oscillators have an even dozen different algorithms – some designed by Arturia with others based on the open source code from the Plaits Eurorack module. Like many synths these days, the MicroFreak is driven by a four voice paraphonic digital oscillator. Let's start with the oscillator – the heart of any synth and a big part of what makes this one unique. This is not a boutique instrument that only bored tech company workers can afford – even a busking musician can find the money for a MicroFreak. But what really impresses me about the MicroFreak is that it builds and improves upon its influences while bringing it to the people with a price point almost anyone can handle. MicroFreak's hybrid digital design and compact size are reminiscent of the popular Teenage Engineering OP-1, and its digital oscillator is a port of the very popular open source Mutable Instruments Plaits Eurorack oscillator. Its 25-key capacitive keyboard is borrowed from some Buchla synthesizers and the EMS (Electronic Music Systems) Synthi AKS. MicroFreak has some nods to a few classic synths in its topology. The modular world and some of the classic American and Japanese builders dominate a lot of the electronic music press these days, but for my money Arturia is developing some of the most interesting electronic instruments of this decade. The French brain trust at Arturia has done it again with MicroFreak yet another brilliantly designed instrument that's intuitive, highly playable, and builds on some classic designs – but one that is also a unique hardware instrument offered at an affordable price.

Arturia ems